The Air Force has listed a number of height and weight requirements for both men and women. These depend on the job, so the list is not a definitive one for all jobs in all places. However, these numbers provide a good baseline from which to work when trying to determine your required height and weight.
Height requirements
The Air Force requires men to be at least 5’10” (177.8cm) tall and women to be at least 5’4″ (162.5 cm) tall when joining the service. Typically, people under this height are not allowed to join the service at all, but exceptions are made in some cases, especially when you are in very good physical condition.
Weight requirements
The Air Force provides a list of weight-related requirements that vary by position, but a rough guideline for the average recreational athlete is 15-20 pounds (6.8-9.1 kg.)
Around 40% of Air Force members fall below the minimums listed above. In 2007, it was announced that all positions would require enlistment at or above the minimum weight requirement by 1 January 2008, unless the officer or enlisted member was given approval for a medical waiver.
Air Force Weight and Height Charts
Female adult requirements are slightly lower than male requirements. For example, female Air Force members must weigh 88–118 pounds, with a maximum allowable of 112 pounds, exclusive of necessary equipment. Female airmen who do not meet the body fat percentage or 20-Yard Swim time requirement will be ineligible for some jobs, such as flight crewmembers.
The table below covers requirements for adult men and women to join the United States Air Force:
| Height (ft and in) | Height (cm) | Minimum Weight (lbs) | Maximum Weight (lbs) |
| 4’10” | 147.32 | 91 | 131 |
| 4’11” | 149.86 | 94 | 136 |
| 5’0″ | 152.4 | 97 | 141 |
| 5’1″ | 154.94 | 100 | 145 |
| 5’2″ | 157.48 | 104 | 150 |
| 5’3″ | 160.02 | 107 | 155 |
| 5’4″ | 162.56 | 110 | 160 |
| 5’5″ | 165.1 | 114 | 165 |
| 5’6″ | 167.64 | 117 | 170 |
| 5’7″ | 170.18 | 121 | 175 |
| 5’8″ | 172.72 | 125 | 180 |
| 5’9″ | 175.26 | 128 | 186 |
| 5’10” | 177.8 | 132 | 191 |
| 5’11” | 180.34 | 136 | 197 |
| 6’0″ | 182.88 | 140 | 202 |
| 6’1″ | 185.42 | 144 | 208 |
| 6’2″ | 187.96 | 148 | 214 |
| 6’3″ | 190.5 | 152 | 220 |
| 6’4″ | 193.04 | 156 | 225 |
| 6’5″ | 195.58 | 160 | 231 |
| 6’6″ | 198.12 | 164 | 237 |
| 6’7″ | 200.66 | 168 | 244 |
| 6’8″ | 203.2 | 173 | 250 |
Air Force Pilot Weight And Height Requirements
The height and weight requirements for Air Force pilots depend on the position that they are applying for. Check this chart to see the height and weight requirements according to your desired position within the Air Force. For example, male pilots applying for fighter pilot jobs must measure between 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) and 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) in height; weigh between 121 pounds (55 kg) and 200 pounds (90 kg). Female pilots must weigh between 109 pounds (49 kg) and 141 pounds (63 kg), and measure between 5 feet 4.5 inches (1.63 m) and 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m).
Pilots must pass a medical exam before they can apply for a job as a fighter pilot, but that does not mean that you will automatically be accepted into the program. In fact, you must meet all of the requirements of the Air Force aviation job you are applying for. This includes height and weight requirements.
Gender: Male
Nationality: US Citizen
Height: 5’10” and over (measured in inches)
Weight: 135 to 230 pounds (measured in pounds.)
Male Air Force pilots must be 5’10” or taller AND weigh between 135 and 230 pounds. A slightly smaller range is not acceptable.
Gender: Female
Nationality: US citizen
Height: 5’10” and over
Weight: 135 to 230 pounds
Female Air Force pilots must be 5’10” or taller AND weigh between 135 and 230 pounds. They also MUST be US citizens. A slightly smaller range is not acceptable.
Non-Pilot Height And Weight Requirements
Gender: Male
Nationality: US citizen
Height: 5’8″ or taller
Weight: 130 to 240 pounds
Male non-pilot airmen who are hired for aviation-related occupations must be 5’8″ or taller AND weigh between 130 and 240 pounds. They also MUST be US citizens. A slightly smaller range is not acceptable.
Gender: Female
Nationality: US citizen
Height: 5’4″ or taller
Weight: 110 to 190 pounds
Female non-pilot airmen who are hired for aviation-related occupations must be 5’4″ or taller AND weigh between 110 and 190 pounds. They also MUST be US citizens. A slightly smaller range is not acceptable. At a 200-pound weight limit, female airmen must meet the same height and weight as male airmen (5’8″ and between 130-240 lbs. respectively).
Can you join the airforce If you are overweight?
You can still apply, but your body fat will be evaluated, and you may be required to lose weight. Obviously, if you’re overweight, there’s a good chance that you don’t take care of yourself well, and it might be hard for you to get in shape while also going through Bootcamp.
All airmen have a Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated at their Annual Physical Fitness Assessment (APFA). The BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9, or underweight is between 18.5 and 22.9.
Gaining weight after joining the air force may be viewed as a problem by the recruiter, not because of their personal opinion, but instead, it could be because they are concerned about financial liability for you, your family, the government, etc. Generally, an airman will keep to a certain weight until he or she is at least 120 pounds over what is allowed by policy at that time.
Under current Air Force height and weight standards, you are not automatically disqualified if you fall outside the requirements, but you are at a disadvantage. You have to qualify for training on physical performance tests. For males, that means you have to do at least 9 pushups, 2 pullups, and run 1.5 miles in under 12 minutes 30 seconds. For females, it means 3 consecutive pull-ups.
Related: How to join the military if you’re overweight?
FAQs
Does the Air Force make exceptions for height or weight?
No. There are no height or weight exceptions. The Air Force Height and Weight chart is based on the most common body measurements, which are the fairest to applicants of average stature.
Is being slightly over the maximum weight limit a reason for denial?
Applicants who exceed the maximum weight limit by 7 lbs or less, but otherwise meet physical qualification standards, may be considered for enlistment with a waiver by their local Air Force Recruiting Service Selection Officer. They will be required to meet additional physical screening requirements.
Can a person who is over the maximum weight limit be used as a pilot, engineer, computer technician, etc.?
All military pilots and aviation occupations require certain levels of physical fitness. Applicants with physical characteristics that could make them serviceable in these fields may be considered by local Air Force Recruiting Service Selection Officers based on their potential to become qualified.
What is the average weight of an air force airman?
70-80lbs.
Who is eligible for consideration?
All men and women who are at least 17 years old, in good health, without restrictions on their ability to perform normal duties, and are U.S. citizens.
What is the Air Force’s Body Mass Index (BMI)?
According to Military.com, the Air Force considers a healthy BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 to be heavy enough for service, while a BMI above 25 is considered too heavy to serve.
What is the maximum weight allowed by the Air Force?
The maximum weight allowed on flight status is 308 pounds (143 kilos). The Air Force does not recommend that applicants weigh more than 300 lbs on flight status (which requires you to be able to pass daily check-rips of 135 pounds on the scale without assistance).
How long does it take to see if you meet Air Force height and weight requirements?
It takes about two months. According to Military.com, “Under normal circumstances, it takes at least four weeks for your recruiter to get the information back from MEPS.” This is because MEPS must perform an extensive background check on you before they report your findings back to the recruiter.
